For This Child I Prayed – Michelle’s Story

Today, meet Michelle! She is sharing her story of God’s hand on her fertility and life after ovarian surgery.

(Michelle with her husband and oldest two children.)

When I was in my early 20’s I found out that I had rather large dermoid cyst on my ovary. The doctor I was seeing at the time suggested surgery to remove it, and he wanted to take out everything else with it, just to be sure. Needless to say I wanted a second opinion. My fiance at the time managed to get me a referral to an excellent ob-gyn his family’s doctor knew and I was seen and a surgery date was scheduled. So about three weeks after we were married I went in for a routine surgery, but instead discovered I had not one, but two dermoid cysts, one on each ovary. Knowing that, the chances that it could possibly be cancerous were much greater. So here I am, at barely 23, just married, facing not just the possibility of never having children, but something far more life threatening. Thankfully everything was benign and I was again scheduled for surgery. Before the surgery they made me sign in several places that this procedure would sterilize me, because the chances of it were pretty high. I cried a lot before the surgery. All my life I’d wanted to be a mother and have children and here I was facing the very real possibility that it never would happen. In the end I did gain some peace because I came to the realization that if God wanted me to have babies I would. And if that wasn’t in the plan for my life, no amount of kicking and screaming on my part would change that. So I gave that dream to God, Who knows what we want, and even more than that-what we need.

So I had my surgery. My doctor managed to save 25% of one ovary and 75% of the other-between the two I have a whole one. I did not go into menopause-my cycles started up again normally and I was all better. Fast forward about nine months later my husband and I decide it would be a good time to start trying for a baby. Several months go by with nothing happening. At least twice I wondered if I might actually be pregnant, but my period would come late. I grew increasingly worried when I had my annual exam with that same ob-gyn and he said I should have my thyroid tested, as it was swollen. So I did the blood work and found out my thyroid was all but kaput! No wonder I was so constantly exhausted. And I found out also that having thyroid levels too far out of balance will almost always cause you to miscarry. I went on thyroid medicine and a month later I was pregnant. Many women who have thyroid issues told me it was not usual for the meds to get everything back into balance so quickly.

After everything I had been through the first year of our marriage I learned that God is truly the one in control. He was merciful and blessed us with a beautiful baby boy. Then when he was just over 2 years old, his little sister came along. We were thrilled. After I had her the comments started: “Oh you have the perfect family!” They never said it, but you could hear it in their voices: “So you’re all done right?” When we were first married my husband and I talked about how many children we wanted. I initially said five, and he said that was all right with him. After my first experience with childbirth I decided maybe three was good. My labor was as smooth and natural as could be-I just didn’t know if I wanted to do that five times! My daughter’s birth wasn’t so easy, but we made it through safely and without any major interventions. After she was born I told myself it would be a while before I wanted to do that again! God must have been laughing at me saying that because I got pregnant again when she was just seven months old.

The most interesting thing about our third child’s birth is I did not know I was pregnant until my first trimester was nearly over. I was still nursing at the time, and figured to have a period and then skip a month was pretty normal. Also, we had a major tragedy in my family during the early summer. It seems that God kept our youngest a secret until He knew we would need something to remind us that even in the midst of sorrow, there can be joy.

So three times God showed us that our children exist solely because He chose to bless us with them. And we decided to really trust God to know the size of our family, however large it may grow.

And now the hard part. I just found out the other day that I have another dermoid growing inside me, and will need surgery next month to remove it. I will probably lose the ovary that its on, and only have the remnant of the other. So, the odds are even higher that I might just go into early menopause. I know God can work miracles, and I am praying that He does also this time. The thought that there will be no more babies does sadden me greatly, then I feel ashamed because maybe I’m being greedy. I never understood, until I had my babies, how much they change your life. Through them, I have come to understand God, as our Father, in a much deeper sense. And He gifted us with three amazing little souls. Despite my sorrow at knowing there may never be anymore, I am so richly blessed.

Do you have an amazing birth, pregnancy, or adoption story to share? A story where the hand of God was mightily on you and your baby? I am looking to begin featuring these types of stories on this website on a regular basis! If you have a story, please email me at childrenareablessing1@gmail.com.

NICOLE CRONE enjoys writing encouragement for moms in which God is glorified at her blog, Children are a Blessing. She is wife to Rusty, and mom to eight sweet children. Nicole has been a homeschool mom for thirteen years, and is currently a member of The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew. When Nicole isn’t homeschooling, you can find her writing, reading, sewing, or blogging at www.childrenareablessing.org. She is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Nicole

NICOLE CRONE enjoys writing encouragement for moms in which God is glorified at her blog, Children are a Blessing. She is wife to Rusty, and mom to eight sweet children. Nicole has been a homeschool mom for thirteen years, and is currently a member of The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew. When Nicole isn’t homeschooling, you can find her writing, reading, sewing, or blogging at www.childrenareablessing.org. She is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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